Wayne Knight and others reported dead who were very much alive

By KJ HIRAMOTO, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Updated 8:58 pm, Sunday, March 16, 2014

Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Multiple

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Wayne Knight

The victim of an internet hoax? Well, Jerry Seinfeld's nemesis Newman said Sunday that he's still alive. See the story below for details. Following are others claimed to be dead who were still able to muster up the life force to declare themselves alive. less

Wayne Knight

The victim of an internet hoax? Well, Jerry Seinfeld's nemesis Newman said Sunday that he's still alive. See the story below for details. Following are others claimed to be dead who were still able ... more

Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Multiple

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Jimmy Carter

Mark Twain once said that “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Such was the case for Jimmy Carter after Donald Trump spoke at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., referring to the former president as the “late great Jimmy Carter.” Carter at the time was in fact alive and planning a trip to Venezuela ... amid political unrest. less

Jimmy Carter

Mark Twain once said that “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Such was the case for Jimmy Carter after Donald Trump spoke at the annual Conservative Political Action ... more

Photo: Josiah Kamau, Multiple

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Fidel Castro

Venezualan doctor Jose Rafiel Marquina told the media that Fidel Castro, then 86, had suffered a massive stroke and was in a vegetative state in October 2012. The Cuban leader’s sister Juanita Castro immediately squashed the rumor, saying that the news was “absurd." This was the same doctor who told the media in April 2012 that he had “first-hand” knowledge that Hugo Chavez was dying of cancer.

Venezualan doctor Jose Rafiel Marquina told the media that Fidel Castro, then 86, had suffered a massive stroke and was in a vegetative state in October 2012. The Cuban leader’s sister Juanita ... more

Photo: AFP, Multiple

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Jim Diers

Things got really awkward for Jim Diers, a former director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, after he and his family began receiving condolence messages regarding his own death on Feb. 27. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray was the man responsible for “breaking” the news through a press release mourning his death. “I’m very saddened by the death of Jim Diers,” the Mayor said in a statement. “He was an innovator in bringing communities together, and made a significant contribution to the foundation that makes Seattle special. His work with neighborhoods was passionate and progressive. His service to this city was unmeasurable.” The Mayor had confused Diers with Joe Dear, the former chief of staff to former Gov. Gary Locke and director of Washington State Investment Board, who died at the age of 62. less

Jim Diers

Things got really awkward for Jim Diers, a former director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, after he and his family began receiving condolence messages regarding his own death on Feb. 27. ... more

Photo: Multiple

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The Rock

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson apparently died in New Zealand after a climbing accident. The former WWE star took it to Twitter to slam the hoaxers responsible for the rumor..

The Rock

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson apparently died in New Zealand after a climbing accident. The former WWE star took it to Twitter to slam the hoaxers responsible for the rumor..

Photo: Multiple

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Avril Lavigne

The Canadian pop singer was killed in a snowboard accident in 2011, according to prank website Global Associated News. Although the fake news site has a disclaimer at the bottom that reads “FAKE… THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE” the was shared widely enough to generate a Facebook page called “Is Avril Lavigne Dead?” less

Avril Lavigne

The Canadian pop singer was killed in a snowboard accident in 2011, according to prank website Global Associated News. Although the fake news site has a disclaimer at the bottom that reads ... more

Photo: ChinaFotoPress, Multiple

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Charlie Sheen

Yet another “snowboarding accident” death reported by the Global Associated News surfaced on the web. This time it happened to the former “Two and a Half Men” actor, who apparently died in Switzerland on December 2, 2011. Sheen was clearly doing okay as me made an appearance for TMZ six days later. less

Charlie Sheen

Yet another “snowboarding accident” death reported by the Global Associated News surfaced on the web. This time it happened to the former “Two and a Half Men” actor, who apparently died in ... more

Photo: Steve Granitz, Multiple

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Jon Bon Jovi

Weeks after Sheen’s theoretical death, rumors spread that Bon Jovi had died from cardiac arrest in Asbury Park, NJ. The singer responded to the allegations by a photo on his Facebook page standing in front of a Christmas tree while holding a sign that read “Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey, December 19, 2011, 6:00.” less

Jon Bon Jovi

Weeks after Sheen’s theoretical death, rumors spread that Bon Jovi had died from cardiac arrest in Asbury Park, NJ. The singer responded to the allegations by a photo on his Facebook page standing ... more

Photo: Multiple

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Jeff Goldblum

The “Jurassic Park” actor fell to his death while filming a movie in New Zealand from, you guessed it, Global Associated News. Goldblum made an appearance in the Colbert Report three days after his alleged death of June 26, 2009, only to have show host Stephen Colbert tell him during the appearance, “Do you mind, Jeff Goldblum? I’m reporting on the death of Jeff Goldblum.” less

Jeff Goldblum

The “Jurassic Park” actor fell to his death while filming a movie in New Zealand from, you guessed it, Global Associated News. Goldblum made an appearance in the Colbert Report three days after ... more

Photo: Andreas Rentz, Multiple

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Paul McCartney

“RIP Paul McCartney” trended on Twitter worldwide on March 21, 2012, even though the Beatles singer is still alive and well to this day. This isn’t the first time McCartney was believed to be dead, as conspiracy theorists suggests that he died in a car accident in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a doppelganger. less

Paul McCartney

“RIP Paul McCartney” trended on Twitter worldwide on March 21, 2012, even though the Beatles singer is still alive and well to this day. This isn’t the first time McCartney was believed to ... more

Photo: David Livingston, Multiple

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Hugh Hefner

Internet trolls spread a rumor on July 11, 2011 that the founder of Playboy magazine died from an apparent heart attack. Like Johnson, Hefner provided a quick rebuttal on Twitter to tell the world that he is in fact still alive and well. less

Hugh Hefner

Internet trolls spread a rumor on July 11, 2011 that the founder of Playboy magazine died from an apparent heart attack. Like Johnson, Hefner provided a quick rebuttal on Twitter to tell the world ... more

Photo: Multiple

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Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was pronounced dead by online hoaxers on September 13, 2011. Thankfully the actress took a lighthearted approach on the rumors. “I don’t know where this came from,” Rivers told Huffington Post. “I did very well performing this weekend in Ottawa and I didn’t even bomb on stage. I think this story came from Betty White - that bitch!” less

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was pronounced dead by online hoaxers on September 13, 2011. Thankfully the actress took a lighthearted approach on the rumors. “I don’t know where this came from,” Rivers told ... more

Photo: JB Lacroix, Multiple

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Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman allegedly died on December 16, 2010 after Twitter users retweeted reports that were believed to be from CNN’s Twitter account. Unfortunately for Freeman, retweets back in 2010 did not show the original posts and as a result, many people in social media were fooled by the false report. Two years later, Freeman again became a victim of another death hoax, and this around the actor responded by posting a selfie on his Facebook page, reminding his fans that he is in fact doing well and enjoying his time in Las Vegas. less

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman allegedly died on December 16, 2010 after Twitter users retweeted reports that were believed to be from CNN’s Twitter account. Unfortunately for Freeman, retweets back in 2010 did ... more

Photo: Multiple

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Jackie Chan

The Rush Hour series star apparetnly died from falling more than 50 feet while filming a movie in Austria. Like Freeman and Bon Jovi, Chan posted a photo on his Facebook account to such rumor.

Jackie Chan

The Rush Hour series star apparetnly died from falling more than 50 feet while filming a movie in Austria. Like Freeman and Bon Jovi, Chan posted a photo on his Facebook account to such rumor.

Photo: Multiple

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Eminem

A fake story swirled on the internet suggesting that the rapper from detroit was nearly stabbed to death in New York City on March 2013. Eminem’s spokesperson denied that the rumor was true, telling E! News that “he remains unstabbed.”

A fake story swirled on the internet suggesting that the rapper from detroit was nearly stabbed to death in New York City on March 2013. Eminem’s spokesperson denied that the rumor was true, telling E! ... more

Photo: Marc Piasecki, Multiple

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Jim Carrey

The Canadian actor was believed by some hoaxes to be dead from a fatal plane crash. However, Carrey’s representative rejected such claim by clarifying that the actor is in fact alive and well.

Jim Carrey

The Canadian actor was believed by some hoaxes to be dead from a fatal plane crash. However, Carrey’s representative rejected such claim by clarifying that the actor is in fact alive and well.

Photo: Kevin Winter, Multiple

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Harrison Ford

Ford’s apparent death surfaced on social media the same time Jeff Goldblum was believed by some to be dead. The death ultimately turned out to be a hoax after it was revealed that he had the exact cause of death as actor Jeff Goldblum.

Ford’s apparent death surfaced on social media the same time Jeff Goldblum was believed by some to be dead. The death ultimately turned out to be a hoax after it was revealed that he had the ... more

Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez, Multiple

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Matt Damon

In Sept. 2009, Matt Damon was believed to be found dead in the desert near San Diego. The rumor turned out false as he was seen giving an interview at a film festival in Venice two days after he was reported missing by the fake online report. less

Matt Damon

In Sept. 2009, Matt Damon was believed to be found dead in the desert near San Diego. The rumor turned out false as he was seen giving an interview at a film festival in Venice two days after he was ... more

Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff, Multiple

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Britney Spears

During that infamous June 2009 week that was filled with celebrity deaths -- including Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, Farrah Fawcett, and former NFL quarterback Steve McNair -- an online hacker took control of Britney Spears’s Twitter account and Tweeted a fake announcement claiming that the pop singer had passed away. The tweet was quickly deleted and the actual administrator of her Twitter account later confirmed that the announcement “is obviously not true.” less

Britney Spears

During that infamous June 2009 week that was filled with celebrity deaths -- including Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, Farrah Fawcett, and former NFL quarterback Steve McNair -- an online hacker took ... more

Photo: Mark Davis, Multiple

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Russell Crowe

Global Associated News reported that Crowe fell to his death while filming a movie in Austria. Didn’t we hear this report before?...

Russell Crowe

Global Associated News reported that Crowe fell to his death while filming a movie in Austria. Didn’t we hear this report before?...

Photo: Brendon Thorne, Multiple

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Tom Kenny

The voice of Spongebob Squarepants was the subject of confused Twitter users as he was believed to be dead in Sept. 2012. Some of his misinformed fans went as far as creating “In Memory of” photos of the iconic voice actor.

The voice of Spongebob Squarepants was the subject of confused Twitter users as he was believed to be dead in Sept. 2012. Some of his misinformed fans went as far as creating “In Memory of” photos ... more

Photo: Jamie McCarthy, Multiple

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Usher

Usher Raymond was believed to be killed in a car accident by online hoaxers in April 2012. Soon after, the R&B singer posted a shirtless photo of himself flexing outside with caption that read, “I must’ve died and went to heaven…Alive and cold kickin ass!!” less

Usher

Usher Raymond was believed to be killed in a car accident by online hoaxers in April 2012. Soon after, the R&B singer posted a shirtless photo of himself flexing outside with caption that read, “I ... more

Photo: Multiple

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Wayne Knight and others reported dead who were very much alive

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So far 2014 has been a year of the undead.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump killed off Jimmy Carter ... mistakenly, last month the mayor of Seattle killed off a former director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

Seinfeld alum Wayne Knight, who is best known for his role as Jerry Seinfeld's nemesis Newman, was the victim of an elaborate death hoax on Sunday, March 16. Several fake sites including TMZ Today, a fake Us Weekly site, and EBuzzd falsely reported that The Exes actor, 58, was involved in a fatal car crash with two other passengers late Saturday night.

The seasoned actor took to Twitter to clarify that the rumors weren't true. "Some of you will be glad to hear this, others strangely disappointed, but....I am alive and well!" he joked.

Check out the gallery above to see who else had been killed only to live on.